Remaining childless in affluent economies: a comparison of France, West Germany, Italy and Spain, 1994-2001

This article explores why women delay childbearing and increase their likelihood to remain childless in Spain, Italy, West Germany and France. We take a macro-micro perspective and show that national institutions influence women's life transitions, in particular partnership and motherhood. For...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of population 2006-01, Vol.22 (4), p.317-352
Main Authors: Gonzalez, Maria-Jose, Jurado-Guerrero, Teresa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Birth plans
Child costs
Childlessness
Comparative analysis
Economic conditions
Family Planning
Family policy
Family structure
First Birth Timing
France
Germany (West)
Italy
Life Stage Transitions
Male-female relationships
Motherhood
Mothers
Spain
Western Europe
Women
Women's employment
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Summary:This article explores why women delay childbearing and increase their likelihood to remain childless in Spain, Italy, West Germany and France. We take a macro-micro perspective and show that national institutions influence women's life transitions, in particular partnership and motherhood. For coupled women, we find two alternative modes out of childlessness. In countries with high direct and indirect child costs, like Spain and Italy, entering a male-breadwinner couple or occupying a stable and high-income position facilitates motherhood, while in the French context motherhood is most likely in a dual-earner partnership. Adapted from the source document.
ISSN:0168-6577
DOI:10.1007/s10680-006-9000-y